As you know from past Editor’s Explorations, we love live theater and live music so we were happy to hear that “In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” was playing at the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA). Since we also love the Beatles, we knew we had to go.

(Courtesy Photo)The show coupled live music and theater, and it was really terrific. Brian Epstein, the Beatles late manager, is the narrator and walks your through their start and first five years of stardom while the band plays over 30 Beatles hits. The performers were top notch, and the crowd was encouraged to dance and sing along throughout the show. We had a great time and loved the ECA facility.

The building is the original auditorium for Edmonds High School built in 1936. It was renovated and opened as the ECA in 2006. It is a showcase theater with 704 seats in the auditorium and a beautiful lobby area welcoming over 75,000 patrons annually.

The ECA is open year round presenting theater and concerts as well as hosting meetings and social events. The ECA is a nonprofit organization hired by the City of Edmonds Public Facilities District to manage the facility. They produce their own shows, and make the facility available to rent.

Over the next month, there are a number of wonderful holiday concerts and events planned. And on January 11, 2018 the ECA is presenting the world premiere of “Love Heals All Wounds.” It is collaboration between internationally renowned choreographers and dancers Lil Buck and Jon Boogz. The show addresses the social issues we are facing as a nation, while also seeking to promote diversity, inclusion and empathy as a uniting force.

Lil Buck was named one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch in 2011 and has collaborated with a broad spectrum of artists including JR Damian Woetzel, the New York City Ballet, Madonna, and Spike Lee. Jon Boogz is a movement artist, choreographer, and director who seeks to push the evolution of what dance can be. He has choreographed for notable icons including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Naomi Campbell, Gloria Estefan, and Pharrell. This is a “don’t miss” show!

We also really like the community of Edmonds. The downtown area is somewhat chic and has many great stores and restaurants. As much as we’ve enjoyed our few visits, we still have a lot of exploring left to do here!

Check our www.edmondscenterfortheare.org for more information and tickets for upcoming shows.